The Christmas Song

Good morning!

We were chatting about Christmas Carols and here is a favorite The Christmas Song, aka Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, aka Merry Christmas to You (the original title). This carol was written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. First recording of it was by Nat King Cole in 1946 using an arrangement of his own creation and then again in 1961 using a full orchestra. It is one of the songs he is most remembered singing. Legend says that Bob and Mel wrote this song on a hot day in July in Los Angeles as way to keep cool. Mel says they had to "stay cool by thinking cool". It took Mel and Bob 40 minutes to complete the song based on these four phrases Bob had written down to "stay cool by thinking cool".

1.   Chestnuts roasting

2.   Jack Frost nipping

3.   Yuletide Carols

4.   Folks dressed up like Eskimos

Side B of this record is a carol called “TheLittle Boy that Santa Claus Forgot". 

I have never heard of this tune but it is rather depressing. It was written by Michael Carr, Tommie Connor and Jimmy Leach.  Vera Lynn recorded a version of this song and it is her version that is used in the opening scene of the Pink Floyd film Pink Floyd —The Wall.

Enjoy!